Here are a couple of contest opportunities for children's writers. Note the deadlines of January 31st and February 29th.

Highlights 2012 Fiction Contest.
This year's theme is a funny story inspired by an unusual newspaper headline. There will be three prizes of
either $1,000 or tuition for the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua.

Your entry must be no more than 750 words and postmarked by January 31, 2012. No entry fee is required.
For guidelines and mailing address, go to: http://www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest.

Children’s Writer—Middle Grade fiction.
Submit a well-constructed fictional mystery that will engage readers 9-12, to 900 words. Entries will be judged on structure, appeal for the audience, use of the best elements of the mystery genre, and an interesting protagonist. The judges will look for originality and publishability.

Submissions: Entries must be received by Feb. 29, 2012. Current subscribers to Children's Writer enter free. All others pay an entry fee of $15, which includes an 8-month subscription. Winners will be announced in the July 2012 issue. Prizes: $500 for 1st place plus publication in CW; $250 for 2nd place; and $100 for 3rd, 4th, and 5th places.